The highly skilled professional who performs ultrasound examinations in a clinical facility is known as a sonographer, ultrasonographer, or ultrasound technologist. There are various specialties within the field that include the abdomen, obstetrics and gynecology, vascular, and echocardiography. The sonographer is a key member of the health care team that provides individualized care to a variety of patients utilizing highly technical instrumentation to create and interpret images of the internal organs, tissues, and blood flow. You can find information about ultrasound technician schools in Garrett below.

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What are the Job Responsibilities?

Sonographers use special equipment to produce and record images showing the shape, motion, and composition of a patient’s internal anatomy, which can include organs and other bodily tissues, blood, abnormal masses, and fluid accumulations. They generally have responsibilities such as:

Before the Exam

Preparing and maintaining imaging equipment

Accurately recording a patient’s medical history

Explaining procedures to a patient and answering any questions

Transferring a patient to an appropriate exam table and positioning him or her properly for the procedure

Scrubbing a patient’s skin in the area to be examined

Applying gel that aids the ability of sound waves to show the inside of a patient’s body

During the Exam

Making necessary adjustments to equipment during an exam in order to produce the best images for a doctor’s use in diagnosis

Altering the position of a patient to get the best angle

Analyzing images for quality

Identifying any differences between normal and abnormal areas

Deciding whether or not to extend the scope of an exam based on initial findings

After the Exam

Detailing preliminary findings for a patient’s doctor

Maintaining detailed patient records

Sub-specialties

The specific areas of patient anatomy that sonographers examine depend on their chosen sub-specialties, which can include:

Abdominal – anything in the belly area, including nearby organs

Breast – breast tissue and tumors

Neurologic – the brain and nervous system

Obstetric/gynecologic – the female reproductive system and pregnancies

What are the Different Job Titles?

A sonographer is the same thing as an ultrasound tech. There is no difference. In fact, depending on their place of employment and special area of practice, they can also have job titles such as:

Diagnostic medical sonographer

Ultrasound technologist

Ultrasound technician

Ultrasonographer

Diagnostic cardiac sonographer

Cardiac sonographer

Echocardiographic technician

Vascular sonographer

Becoming an Ultrasound Technician in Garrett

Though it is possible to start a career as an ultrasound technician in Garrett, 82058 by getting on-the-job training at a medical facility, your best bet is to go to school first. Anything from a one year vocational training program to a four year degree can help you become an ultrasound tech, and the amount of education you get may determine your future career options. If you want to move on from sonography eventually, into a role as a nurse or even a doctor, you should plan your education accordingly. If becoming an ultrasound tech is your primary career goal, a shorter program, combined with good references and experience, wil get you the job you desire.

According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, both medical assistant and ultrasound technician job opportunities are likely to rise in the next decade, and those with the best training will have broader choices about where they work, what hours they work, and how much money they earn. The medical field is growing rapidly, and becoming an ultrasound tech can help you get your foot in the door and give yourself room to grow, both personally and career-wise, in the industry.

To check out ultrasound sonography and medical assistant programs at top accredited online schools, click the links below, or look around this site for more information about this career path.

Ultrasound Technician Career Overview in Garrett

Education

Associate’s degree is most common; certificate and bachelor’s degree programs also available

Certification

Professional certification may be required or preferred by some employers

Ultrasound Technician School: Degrees in Garrett

With several options to choose from, which ultrasound degree in Garrett is best? Here’s a look at what each level offers.

Associate’s Degree

An associate’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography can open the door to entry-level positions in the field. Most programs last between 18 and 24 months.

In addition to learning about equipment, ultrasound technician students can expect to receive a heavy dose of patient care education. Since sonographers interact closely with people all day, they need a strong grasp on how to interact with a diverse group of patients.

Mastering legal, ethical and regulatory topics will also be necessary.

Bachelor’s Degree

Most ultrasound technicians hold an associate’s degree, but if you’re looking to advance your education earning a bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography can offer great rewards.

The additional schooling will allow you to strengthen your problem-solving skills and get involved with research and projects. Some ultrasound technicians with BS degrees go on to pursue careers in medicine.

If a bachelor’s degree sounds like a logical step on your way to an ultrasound career, take note of the two options most schools offer.

Degree completion: These programs are specifically designed for sonographers who are part of a professional registry, such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or those who have previous college credit. Most programs will also require that you are currently employed in the field.

If you haven’t taken certain general education courses, such as college algebra, social sciences and English composition, you’ll be required to complete these courses during ultrasound technician school. The professional courses will typically include:

Healthcare systems

Healthcare management

Fetal echo, neonatal and pediatric sonography

Musculoskeletal sonography

Breast sonography

You’ll spend much of your time in laboratory settings and most schools also require an externship at a local medical facility or lab.

If you already have your associate’s degree in sonography, there are bachelor’s degree completion options that allow you to specialize in areas like vascular sonography. Your time will be devoted to learning the intricacies of this specific track.

Four-year degree: Just starting out? For those without a previous degree or college credits, a four-year BS in diagnostic medical sonography is available. Like other BS degrees, you’ll take a combination of general education courses and classes specific to your major. The latter usually occurs in the last two years of the program, however, your initial coursework will prepare you with introduction science courses.

What is the Job Outlook for Sonographers in Garrett?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical sonography jobs should grow 13 percent in Garrett between 2008 and 2018, much faster than average. This is due to an aging population and the increased use of ultrasound technology as a safe alternative to radiological procedures. Uses for ultrasound technology are also expected to expand in the future.

Salary – According to the BLS, the median salary for medical sonographers in Garrett is $64,571. This salary is higher than the average for allied health professionals with similar training.

Career Advancement – Advancement is possible by adding sonography specializations in order to increase your marketability. Also, taking on administrative duties, such as managing a department, can increase your earning potential. Also according to the BLS, the top 10 percent of sonographers make over $88,162 in Garrett.